For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,
that each one may receive what is due him for the things
done while in the body, whether good or bad.
2 Corinthians 5:10
Someday all believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
This judgment is not to be confused with The White Throne Judgment that will happen after the millennium and will be for unbelievers.
The judgment seat of Christ is for Christians only and will take place after the Rapture.
The term “judgment seat” comes from the Greek word Bema, which was a platform in Greek towns. It’s where rulers gave formal speeches or handed down decisions (see Matt 27:19; Acts 12:21; 18:12).
It is also where the winners received awards at the annual Olympic games. [1]
Table of Contents
Will I Receive Crowns at the Bema Seat of Christ?
The purpose of the Bema Seat is not to account for the wrong things we did since Jesus fully paid for our sin at the cross. The purpose is to give an account of the deeds and service we did as believers(Rom 14:12) . Jesus will determine what was good or bad (worthless). The Bible says that our works will be tested with fire to reveal if what we did had any value. If the deed survives, we will receive a reward, which in some places is referred to as a crown. If the work is burned up, we will suffer loss. Everyone will receive rewards or crowns.
Is It Wrong to Be Motivated by the Promise of Reward?
Jesus says in Luke 14:12-14, “When you put on a luncheon or a banquet, don’t invite your friends, brothers, relatives, and rich neighbors. For they will invite you back, and that will be your only reward.
Instead, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the righteous, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you.”
Paul says in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
In I Corinthians 9:24, Paul tells us to “run in such a way as to get the prize.”
Paul talks about our troubles being temporary that produce for us a glory that outweighs anything we suffer now for His sake. He tells us to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor 4:18).
If it is wrong to be motivated by the promise of reward, then why do Jesus and Paul both encourage us to live our lives in view of the prize we will receive when we stand before Him?
Why are we told to press on to win the prize?
And why did Paul live his life motivated by his eternal reward in heaven?
The Bible teaches us it isn’t wrong.
The Bible seems to be saying that we can find strength in living for our reward.
John Piper says, “There is nothing morally inferior about looking for reward for our behavior, provided that the reward is ultimately more of Christ as the supreme joy of our souls. And the reason that is not morally inferior is that Christ is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Christ.”
Paul also says his goal is to please God (2 Cor 5:9).
Receiving a reward for what we have done should not be the only reason we want to serve Christ. I’m only saying it’s not wrong to be motivated by eternal rewards.
In fact, this is a new concept for me, as I always thought it was somehow wrong to want rewards. I believed that rewards were a by-product of the good deeds I did, but not something I should think about now.
However, let me note that heavenly rewards are not like earthly rewards.
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The Rewards We Will Receive
When John records what Jesus is saying to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3, he mentions several rewards for those who overcome within the seven churches. Let’s take a look:
To the church in Ephesus, Jesus promises to “give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (2:7)
To the church in Smyrna, Jesus says “he who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death.” (2:11)
To the church in Pergamum, Jesus says, “I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it” (2:17)
To the church in Thyatira, Jesus says, “I will give authority over the nations.” (2:26)
To the church in Sardis, Jesus tells the overcomer that he “will be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.” (3:5)
To the church in Philadelphia, Jesus says, “I will make a pillar in the temple of God” and he will never have to leave. “I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.” (3:12)
To the church in Laodicea, Jesus says, “I will give the right to sit with Me on His throne.” (3:21)
Although these were seven literal churches when John was writing Revelation, they have significance for churches and believers today.
The rewards promised to the seven churches are also promises for believers if they overcome. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 Jn 5:5).
Crowns in Heaven
Some rewards are called crowns in Scripture. There are five crowns specifically mentioned:
- The Crown of Righteousness is given to those who have longed for His appearing (2 Tim 4:8)
- The Incorruptible Crown is given to those who discipline themselves like an athlete who goes into strict training (1 Cor 9:24-27)
- The Crown of Life is given to those who persevere under trial (Jms 1:12)
- The Crown of Glory is given to those faithful, willing church and ministry leaders who are eager to serve (1 Pet 5:4)
- The Crown of Exultation is given to those who have brought someone into the kingdom of God. It is seeing that person standing there in the presence of Jesus (1 Thess 2:19).
The Bible tells us to guard our crowns (Rev 3:11; 2 Jn 1:7-8) because we can lose them when we do something for the Lord with wrong motives (Matt 6:2).
In other words, why we do something is important. God looks at the heart (1 Sam 16:7)
What Will We Do With Our Crowns?
The Bible tells us the twenty-four elders of Rev 4:10-11 lay their crowns at the throne and say, “You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will, they were created and have their being.”
Most likely, we will respond the same way as the elders did, out of gratitude and the knowledge that He alone is worthy.
It is interesting to note that Jesus wore a crown of thorns before He was crucified. And the ones who put it on his head also mocked him, saying, “Hail King of the Jews” (Mt 27:29), but how wrong they were about Jesus.
It will be an entirely different scene when He returns a second time. Revelation is the unveiling of Jesus. We will see Him in all His glory (Rev 19:11-19).
Notice He is wearing many crowns. Could these be the crowns that the saints have given back to Him?
Bema Seat of Christ Video
Final Thoughts
As you can see, receiving crowns at the Bema is only part of what will happen there.
Yes, the Bema seat is where we will receive rewards and crowns, but it’s also where Jesus will judge us for the works we did God.
It has nothing to do with salvation. Because everyone there will be saved.
However, some of the works will be deemed worthless because we did them with wrong motives.
But whatever survives will be rewarded. Some rewards will be crowns.
And most likely, we will lay our crowns before the throne of Jesus, who is worthy to receive glory and honor and power.
And even though we will experience regret and sorrow and may shed some tears, the Bema seat will primarily be a joyful time.
How often do you think about receiving rewards or crowns at the Bema seat of Christ?
Or better yet, how many times do you think about your motives when working for the Lord?
Sources:
[1] Warren W. Wiersbe: The Bible Exposition Commentary Volume 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1989), 646-647
[2] Five Crowns and Rewards in Heaven